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The Giants added an intriguing, local arm but will have to wait a while to see it in action.
Farhan Zaidi & Co. traded on Monday for righty Sam Delaplane, who had been designated for assignment by the Mariners a month after he needed Tommy John surgery. Essentially, Seattle did not want to pay him to rehab by putting him on the 60-day injured list, and the Giants were willing. They sent cash Seattle’s way in exchange.
The roster space was created by Scott Kazmir being placed on the restricted list because the lefty will “attend to a personal matter at home,” Gabe Kapler said before Monday’s game at Oracle Park against the Angels.
Delaplane technically was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, but he should find himself on the 60-day IL soon, and the Giants will sponsor his rehab so he can be part of the system next year. The 26-year-old from San Jose went to Leigh High School before becoming a 23rd-round selection in the 2017 draft.
Delaplane is a fastball/slider guy — the Giants have an affinity for the type — who has shown a tremendous ability to miss bats. The last season in which he had statistics, 2019, he struck out 120 in 68 2/3 innings with High-A and Double-A clubs with Seattle.
Then the pandemic hit, and the 2020 minor league season was wiped out, and before his 2021 campaign could begin, surgery was required. The Mariners will not be paying for it, and the Giants hope their move will pay off.